DUDLEY, Mass. – Following its 96-84 Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) Tournament win in the quarterfinals, the top-seeded Nichols men's basketball team is prepping to take on No. 4 Wentworth (17-9) in the semifinals on Thursday night at the Nichols Athletic Center.
 
The Bison head into the semifinals having won 15 straight contests, using a balanced scoring attack along the way. Five players scored in double figures on Tuesday, led by Quincy Ferebee's 23 points, against Gordon to push Nichols into the next round. Ty Rucker, Jakigh Dottin, Tavon Jones, and Matthew Alectus all scored in double-digits to pace the Bison.
 
No. 4 Wentworth used a very similar offensive formula to knock off No. 5 Suffolk on Tuesday by the score of 72-60. Guard Jack Connell and forward Tyler Stewart led the way with 15 points apiece, while Jack Schaake, Conor Rubenskas, and Nathan Brinkman all scored in double figures for the Leopards. Winners of 9 of their last 10, Wentworth has used strong defense throughout the year to get to this point, leading the CCC in points allowed per game (67.8). They have held opponents to 41.4% shooting from the field, while also out-rebounding teams by a 7.8 margin this season. Connell is the leading scorer for the Leopards, averaging 17.2 points per game, good for sixth in the CCC.
 
Nichols has defeated Wentworth in both matchups this season, cruising to an 87-64 win in Boston on January 14, and then pulling away late in an 82-70 victory at home on February 7. Nichols holds a 24-13 record versus the Leopards all-time, including the last four in a row. The two squads faced off in last year's CCC quarterfinals, with Nichols coming away with the 93-86 victory. The Bison are 15-4 at home all-time versus Wentworth.
 
The winner of Thursday's matchup will advance to take on the winner of No. 2 Western New England and No. 3 Endicott in the CCC Championship game on Saturday, February 25.